Marijuana (proper
name Cannabis) has been used for medical purposes for
over 12,000 years. Ancient historical pharmaceutical
texts dating back some 2,000 years detail the wide
variety of uses for this plant that grows throughout the
world. Medical uses of cannabis are only now being
rediscovered after some eighty years of prohibition in
the United States. Canada and Western Europe are
advancing quickly in the provision of laws to allow for
medical cannabis and new classes of pharmaceuticals based
on cannabinoids.

This guide to
common medical uses for cannabis is not meant in any way
to be medical advice. AAMC cautions all patients and
their families to speak candidly with their primary care
and/or consulting physician. No medicine, including
cannabis, can replace what should be a healing
relationship with a licensed health professional.
Cannabis is not a miracle drug or cure, just
an extremely helpful medicine for a wide variety of
illnesses.

Today, adjunctive
therapy with cannabis is helping patients to cope with
the symptoms of diseases and disorders from MS and
chronic pain to arthritis and bi-polar disease. The list
keeps growing as more research is conducted. Adjunctive
therapy means an additional or ancillary
therapy. Cannabis is not intended to replace primary
medical treatments but to compliment them.

In these pages we
will provide overview summaries of common ailments for
which our members, families, and the scientific
literature indicate that cannabis may be of real help.
Remember, this is not medical advice. Cannabis alone,
self administered, to the exclusion of comprehensive
medical care may actually mask illness or prolong delays
in seeking appropriate medical assistance.

Even worse, some
folks may think that cannabis is just great for any
disease or disorder. The problem is, though, that every
individual responds to cannabis differently depending
upon their age and illness, their unique genetics, the
setting in which cannabis is utilized, the particular
strain, composition, and strength of the cannabis used,
and the unique thinking and emotions of every patient.
While we can generalize some common experiences, each
person will react differently. Many will find real relief
from muscle spasms or migraine while others (rare) may
experience increased anxiety or even what we call
dissociative disorders.

All medicines
have safety profiles which should be
carefully reviewed before starting any new drug. Cannabis
has an extraordinarily safe profile with no reported
overdoses or deaths and few adverse reactions. Smoking
can cause irritation of the throat and lungs. Smoking
cannabis that is contaminated with pesticides, mold, or
other substances, can lead to bronchitis and be
particularly dangerous for folks with compromised immune
systems. Many patients prefer to utilize vaporizers or
take their cannabis orally or even topically. Some
patients report stomach upset from ingesting cannabis
products. Many patients, particularly new ones, may find
cannabis makes them sleepy or dizzy. No patient who
utilizes cannabis should operate a motor vehicle or
machinery while under the influence.

Over time, most
patients learn just what dose is enough to help with
symptoms while allowing them to function intellectually,
physically, emotionally, and socially. Some say that the
occasional euphoria produced by cannabis qualifies as an
adverse reaction but we dont believe that medicine
must make you feel worse in order to be effective. Those
very few patients who experience anxiety or panic should
lower their dose and may not be appropriate for cannabis
therapy.

It is important
for patients and others interested in adjunctive therapy
with cannabis, to learn all that they can from
experienced patients, qualified physicians, and expert
caregivers. It is sad to say that many in the medical
profession today remain skeptical about cannabis and
poorly informed or worse, are operating upon drug war
stereotypes. Unfortunately, cannabis is not a routine
part of either medical or pharmaceutical education other
than to caution against drug abuse. Yes, cannabis can be
abused and can be psychologically habituating but the
degree of addiction or the harm done is
astronomically less than many prescription drugs and
certainly far less than alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, or
heroin.

Patients with a
history of substance abuse or mental illness require a
close consultation with and supervision by a psychiatrist
experienced in cannabis therapy. Believe it or not,
cannabis has been used by many to actually treat
addiction to harder drugs.

We at AAMC are
excited by the real relief we see thousands of patients
receiving from cannabis. We only write these words of
caution and disclaimers regarding medical advice to
insure that patients and others recognize that it is up
to the patient to accept responsibility along with their
recommending physician for any therapeutic choice.

We at AAMC also
feel it is our responsibility to bring you the latest in
scientific findings and clinical experience while
providing comprehensive links to organizations like the
American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer
Society, and many others. Welcome to the information,
which may make your life or the life of a loved one a
little bit better.